MvB: This AP list isn’t terrible but it is “usual suspects”: Pike Place Market, the Locks, Discovery Park, Central Library, the Sculpture Park. What else we got? Doesn’t need to be “always on” — like the Port tours would be fine.
Josh: Their list definitely hits the major points. The one missing piece is probably the Volunteer Park Water Tower, AKA, the free alternative to the Space Needle and/or Columbia Tower. Instead of entry fees you pay with a stairclimb and a fenced view.
Seth: Walking the Old West Lake Union Trolley Line. Peek into houseboat communities and check out yachts for sale on this time-travel of a walk. Also, I strongly object to the [AP] writer’s assertion that Pike Place Market is a “tourist trap”…it’s actually pretty awesome at doing exactly what it’s supposed to.
Audrey: Free boat rides at the Center for Wooden Boats on Sundays, right, Stefan? If we’re just trying to think of free things in Seattle, the options are boundless. Might want to throw in this link.
Stefan: Yes! Free Public Sailboat Rides at The Center for Wooden Boats. Do I have to explain why a free sailboat ride on Lake Union is the best thing ever? Every Sunday, all-year-round (possibly excluding Sundays that fall on Christmas or New Year’s Day — as well as the Sunday before the Wooden Boat Festival). Sign-ups start at 10 a.m. First boat goes out around 11 a.m., last boat leaves as late as 4 p.m. (depending on daylight). Boats include a few electric launches and a steam launch as well as a 113-year-old salmon fishing boat, a two-masted schooner, two-masted oystering boats, as well as pleasure craft. Volunteers steer crew the boats and offer history and trivia about the lake, the boats and CWB. It’s the easiest way to enjoy Seattle’s central park! NB: I may or may not regularly volunteer on this event.
Chelsea: Hmm…I’d also recommend strolling through the Arboretum (UW campus too, while you’re at it – though you’ll have to wait another year for the cherry blossoms), walking the stairs of Queen Anne Hill (with a stop at Kerry Park), and a lap around Green Lake. Yes, I like to walk.
Courtney: Speaking of the Arboretum, there’s the bridge that goes to nowhere. There’s not a link for it because it’s tricky to find. It’s like walking on a highway after the world is overtaken by zombies.
Josh: I heard that they’re tearing down those nowherepasses…”between 2014 and 2016.”
Dana: The Frye is always free! They’ve had some great shows recently, especially last fall’s Moment Magnitude.Also, the Sunday night Compline choir service at St. Mark’s is supposed to be excellent (and free). I haven’t been, but I’ve heard from friends (both religious and non-religious) that it’s a great experience.
Stefan: I second this. I’ve been. Compline’s great!
Seth: I suppose I should mention something sports-y: Green Lake Basketball Courts. On a sunny day, this is one of the best pickup hoops spots in the country; NBA players sometimes stop by for a game.
Chelsea: Oh! And the Sorrento Hotel has a lot of free music in their lobby on a regular basis. Vintage jazz from Miss Rose and Her Rhythm Percolators is highly recommended. The drinks aren’t free, but I guess you don’t technically have to buy them…
Roger: Klondike Gold Rush Museum. The Troll. WPA-built Colman Pool. Complete with a mural.
We opened the subject up to Twitter for more suggestions:
@thesunbreak explore neighborhoods during an art walk. SeattleArtWalks.org
— Jeanine Anderson (@JeanineA) April 22, 2013
@thesunbreak I would put Waterfall Park in Pioneer Square on the list.
— Arne Christensen (@ArneChristensen) April 22, 2013
@thesunbreak I spent about 15 minutes at 3rd+Pine this afternoon (waiting for a bus), which was interesting and free, but not recommended.
— Arne Christensen (@ArneChristensen) April 22, 2013
@thesunbreak any of our wonderful parks. Golden Gardens, Carkeek.
— Ryan McCrory (@rmccrory) April 22, 2013
@thesunbreak Discovery Park is always very high on my list! #SeattleSun
— Ann Peavey(@SeattleMaven) April 23, 2013
@thesunbreak re free stuff! Union Bay Natural Area, Burke Gilman, Kubota Gardens, S. SEA Comm Coll gardens.
— Free Seattle (@freeattle) April 24, 2013
@thesunbreak Also any @seattleparks (which are great & free) plus they offer free naturalist-led activities like low tide walks & bird walks
— Free Seattle (@freeattle) April 24, 2013
And here are a few seasonal free things:
Chelsea: KEXP concerts at the mural during August.
Courtney: Arts Crush in October is free or pay-what-you-can for all events. They have a weird smattering of pieces based on who submits. But last year they had a lot of really awesome things like Pat Graney’s Chairs in the fountain at Seattle Center.
Stefan: Figgy Pudding, which is a socially acceptable modern equivalent of the original caroling and wassailing in which impoverished ruffians sang songs threatening violence unless food, drink and money were forthcoming; Pike Place Senior Center & Food Bank gets corporate ruffians to sing songs often rewritten to advertise their business in order to raise money for the shelter’s programming. That and the Christmas Ships — I particularly enjoy the boy choir concert — make the holidays here.
